Watchcase



H. N. GREY WATCHCASE Nov. 16, 1937.

Filed Apgil 21, 1936 IN VENTOR ATTORNEYS.

lV/T/VESSI Patented Nov. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in watchcases.

The primary object of the invention resides in a watchcase which is supplementary to that of a wrist watch casing whereby the wrist watch may be transformed into a pocket style watch for carrying upon one end of a chain or cord.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a wrist watch adapter casing which may be sold with the wrist watch for converting the wrist watch into a pocket style watch, the conversion being readily performed by the owner of the wrist watch or anyone unskilled in the art of watch making and repair.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a supplementary wrist watchcase within which a wrist watch may be mounted without necessitating alterations in the wrist watch or without injury thereto.

A still further feature of the invention is to provide a wrist watch adapter having the above features which is simple and inexpensive of construction and attractive in appearance.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the certain novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter fully described, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in use.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the wrist watch in side elevation.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 with the wrist watch re moved from the supplementary casing.

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of the front frame section with the wrist watch seated therein.

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of a modifled form of the invention.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line 66'of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a rear elevational view of a further modification.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 8-4 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, the numeral I!) in the several forms of my invention, designates a watch of the wrist type which includes a casing ll having diametrically opposed lugs l2l2 extending from the sides thereof. When in use as a wrist watch, the lugs |2|2 serve as a connection between the casing H and the sections of the chain or strap required for securing the watch at the wrist of a wearer. In the style of watch l0 shown in the drawing, the ends of the lugs I2-I2 are provided with openings to receive the pintles of a connecting link of a chain or the pintles of a connecting bail and it is possible without injury to the connecting element to flex the same to cause the elements to become detached from the lugs l2-|2. A wrist watch so detached from its wrist attaching chain or strap is impractical for pocket wear for there is no means for the attachment of a carrying chain or strap, and the user is ever conscious of the fact that to others it is in reality a wrist watch and not a pocket watch. Furthermore, the wrist watch is too small in size to impart the appearance of a pocket watch. It is therefore the purpose of the invention to provide a supplementary casing for a wrist watch which will render the same adaptable to be carried as a pocket watch, and to conceal the identity of the watch as being of the wrist style.

In Figures 1 to 4 of the drawing, I have illustrated one form of my wrist watch adapter or supplementary watch casing which is designated H in its entirety. The supplementary casing I3 is preferably constructed of metal but may be made of any other suitable material. The casing l3 includes a pair of interfitting casing sections, namely a front casing section l4 and a rear casing section IS. The front casing section I is provided with a front wall I6 having a central opening I! therein of a size and shape to reveal the face of the watch I0. Extending rearwardly from the front wall is an annular side wall l8 reduced in thickness to provide a flange IS. The casing section [4 is formed of two metal ring like parts nested one within the other and secured together by solder or otherwise but they coact to provide a unitary structure of sufficient thickness to form the walls above mentioned and the other features of construction now to be explained. The inner side of the front wall I6 is provided with diametrically opposed recesses 20 of a size and shape to snugly receive the lugs I2-l 2 of the watch I 0 when the face of the watch is seated against the front wall l6 as best seen in Figure 2 of the drawing. The recess 20 opens inwardly of the front wall and terminating at the sides of the recesses and extending inwardly from the front wall are arcuate shaped walls 2| which engage the sides of the watch casing l I as shown in Figure 4. The top portion of the front wall I6 is provided with an opening 22 whereas an opening or slot 23 is provided therein at a distance of approximately ninety degrees from said opening. The opening or slot 23 extends entirely through the casing sections Hi and I5, is adapted to receive the winding crown 2 3 of the watch I0 and exposes the same at opposite sides thereof for manual manipulation.

The rear frame section I5 includes a rear wall 25 having a central opening 26 therein of a size slightly less than the diameter of the watch casing I I. The rear wall 25 surrounding the opening 26 is provided with an inwardly set flange 21 which bears against the back of the wrist watch casing II when the casing sections I4 and I5 are in interfitting engagement. A forwardly extending annular flange 28 is formed integral with the periphery of the wall 25 which telescopes and frictionally engages annular flanges I9 of the casing section III. The wall 25 is provided with an opening 29 which registers with the opening 22 to provide a passage for one end of a suspender member 30 in the form of a cord, chain or the like. The wall 25 is also provided with a slot 3I which registers with the slot 23 to receive the winding crown 24.

When the wrist watch II! is seated within the front casing section I4, the same is prevented from accidental turning by the lugs I2--I2 seated in the recesses 20, and the wrist watch is held seated by contact of the flange 21 with the rear of the wrist watch casing. The casing sections I4 and I5 may be readily separated from each other to facilitate the insertion of a wrist watch therein, or for removing the same therefrom. The supplementary casing I3 encloses the wrist watch casing and imparts to the wrist watch, the appearance of a pocket style watch.

In Figures 5 to 8 inclusive, a modified form of supplementary casing or wrist watch adapter is shown and which includes ring-like frame 32 constructed of bakelite or other like composition. The frame opening 33 is of a size and shape to snugly receive the casing I I of the wrist watch ID. The rear side of the frame 32 is provided with opposed recesses 3 I which open into the frame opening and frictionally receive the opposed lugs I2-I2 of the wrist watch casing II. An opening 35 for receiving the winding crown 24 is provided in the wall of the frame opening 33 and extends entirely therethrough. The .top portion of the frame 32 is provided with an opening 36 for the attachment of a suspender member 31.

Whereas the wrist watch may be frictionally fitted into the frame 32 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 and safely held therein, it might be found more desirable to positively maintain the wrist watch in seated position. Therefore, in Figures '7 and 8 headed screws 38 are threaded into the rear of the frame adjacent a wall of each recess 34, so that the head of each screw overlies a lug I2 when the screw is threaded home. By loosening the; screws, the wrist watch may be readily released from the frame 32.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided an attractive supplement watch case for wrist watches which when in use, transforms the appearance of the wrist watch into that of a pocket watch, for it will be appreciated that at times and on certain occasions, it may be more desirable to carry the watch in the pocket of the owner, rather than upon the wrist. In commercializing the article, a supplementary watch casing may be sold with the wrist watch, or it may be sold separately to the owners of wrist Watches for transforming the Wrist watches into that of the pocket style.

In all forms of the invention, the attaching opening for the chain or suspending cord is so positioned that the face of the watch may be correctly read without twisting or turning of the watch, and the winding crown is exposed for convenient use to avoid the necessity of removing the watch from the supplementary casing.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be the most practical embodiments of my invention, I wish it to be understood that such changes and alterations as come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentof the United States, is:-

v 1. A supplementary wrist watch casing comprising a frame having a frame opening conforming to the size and shape of a wrist watch to be mounted therein, the rear side of said frame having opposed recesses therein which open into the frame opening and which are adapted to snugly receive the respective opposed outwardly extending lugs of a wrist watch, and headed screws threaded into the rear side of said frame adjacent the walls of said recesses whereby the heads of said screws may overlie the lugs of a wrist watch when they are seated within said recesses to firmly retain a wrist watch within said frame.

2. In combination, a wrist watch, a supplementary watch casing therefor for transforming the same into a pocket style watch comprising a frame composed of front and rear casing sections, said casing sections having alined openings extending entirely therethrough for receiving the winding crown of said wristwatch and exposing the same upon opposite sides of said casing, said wrist watch being mounted within said frame, and means on said frame for facilitating the attachment of one end of a flexible suspender element thereto.

3. In combination, a wrist watch having an outwardly extending winding crown, a supplementary watch casing therefor for transforming the same into a pocket style watch comprising a frame having an opening extending entirely therethrough, said wrist watch having its sides enclosed by said frame with its winding crown disposed within said opening and accessible at opposite sides thereof for manual operation, and means for securing said wrist watch in position within said frame.

4. In combination, a wrist watch having opposed flat outwardly extending lugs, a supplementary watch casing therefor for transforming the same into a pocket style watch comprising a frame composed of interfitting front and rear casing sections enclosing said wrist watch, said lugs being seated against the said front casing section, and arcuate shaped walls extending inwardly from said front casing section and embracing the sides of said wrist watch intermediate said lugs.

5. In combination, a wrist watch having opposed fiat outwardly extending lugs, a supplementary watch casing therefor for transforming the same into a pocket style watch comprising a frame composed of interfitting front and rear casing sections enclosing said wrist watch, said lugs being seated against the said front casing section, and arcuate shaped walls extending inwardly from said front casing section and embracing the sides of said wrist watch intermediate said lugs, said casing sections having alined openings therein extending entirely through the same for receiving and exposing the winding crown of said wrist watch, and means on said frame for facilitating the attachment of one end of a flexible suspender element thereto.

6. A supplementary wrist watch casing comprising a frame having a frame opening conforming to the size and shape of a wrist watch to be mounted therein, the rear side of said frame having opposed recesses therein which open into the frame opening and which are adapted to snugly receive the respective opposed outwardly extending lugs of a wrist watch, and releasable holding means carried by the rear side of said so as to be accessible for manual operation and 10 means for securing said wrist watch in position within said frame.

HAROLD N. GREY. 

